General Description
American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington , DC.
This category consists of three specific disorders, and one disorder for unspecified learning disorders. The main feature of a learning disorder is when a child achievement on standardized test falls well below what is normal for their age, schooling, and intelligence. The three specific disorders are Reading Disorder (315.00), Mathematics Disorder (315.1), and Disorder of Written Expression (315.2) . Any learning disorder that does not fit into any other specific learning disorder falls under Learning Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (315.9) .
Reading Disorder (315.00)
The main feature of reading disorder is when reading achievement falls well below what is considered normal after taking into account a child's age, intelligence, and education.
Mathematics Disorder (315.1)
The main feature of mathematics disorder is when mathematical achievement falls well below what is considered normal after taking into account a child's age, intelligence, and education.
Disorder of Written Expression (315.2)
The main feature of Disorder of Written Expression is when writing skills fall well below what is considered normal after taking into account a child's age, intelligence, and education.
Learning Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (315.9)
This category is for learning disorders that a child may have that do not fit in with all the symptoms that are specified for a classified learning disability. This may include problems in every area of school, however a child's achievements on standardize tests may not be significantly below average.
Diagnostic Criteria
American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington , DC.
A child could be diagnosed with Reading Disorder (315.00) if the following symptoms are seen.
- The child's reading achievement falls well below what is normal after taking into account a child's age, intelligence, and education according to standardized tests.
- If the symptoms in number 1 interfere with school or daily living.
- If the child has a sensory deficit (such as vision loss), and the reading difficulties are not justified by the sensory deficit.
A child could be diagnosed with Mathematics Disorder (315.1) if the following symptoms are seen.
- The child's mathematical achievement falls well below what is normal after taking into account a child's age, intelligence, and education according to standardized tests.
- If the symptoms in number 1 interfere with school or daily living.
- If the child has a sensory deficit (such as vision loss), and the mathematical difficulties are not justified by the sensory deficit.
A child could be diagnosed with Disorder of Written Expression (315.2) if the following symptoms are seen.
- The child's writing skills falls well below what is normal after taking into account a child's age, intelligence, and education occurring to standardized tests.
- If the symptoms in number 1 interfere with school or daily living.
- If the child has a sensory deficit (such as vision loss), and the mathematical difficulties are not justified by the sensory deficit.
Etiology
American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington , DC.
At first 60% to 80% of the individuals that are diagnosed with Reading Disorder are males. However when carefully diagnosed the males and females are found to have Reading Disorder in about an equal amount. Reading Disorder is more common in children with first-degree biological relatives with a learning disability.
There is little to no information on the Etiology of Mathematics Disorder.
There is little to no information on the Etiology of Disorder of Written Expression.
Prevalence
American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington , DC.
While the prevalence of Reading Disorder is difficult to measure, it is estimated in the United States about 4% of school-age children have Reading Disorder.
Mathematics Disorder is difficult to establish because most studies only focus on overall learning disabilities. It is estimated that 1% of school-age children have Mathematics Disorder.
The prevalence of Disorder of Written Expression is difficult to establish because most studies only focus on overall learning disabilities. Disorder of Written Expression is considered rare if the child does not have any other learning disabilities.
EBP Treatment Approaches
Listed below are either evidence-based practices or promising practices that have been successful at treating Learning Disorders.
None available at this time.
References
Beitchman, J. H.; Young, A. R. (1997, Aug.) Learning Disorders with a special emphasis on reading disorders: a review of the past 10 years. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 36(8):1020-1032.
Note - Full text is available through the University at Buffalo Libraries.
Links
Practice Guideline Clearing House
Practice Guideline Gateway
Diagnosis, Treatment, Research Gateway
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
American Society for Adolescent Psychiatry
American Academy of Pediatrics
New York State Office of Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities
Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families
LD Online
Learning Disabilities Association of America
Fact Sheets
Fact Sheets from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Note - Click on topic. (Please note disclaimer).
The AACAP developed Facts for Families to provide concise and up-to-date information on issues that affect children, teenagers, and their families.
The AACAP website includes facts, statistics, and overviews of different problems children and adolescents face and different mental health disorders that affect children and adolescents.
Fact Sheets from the National Institute of Mental Health
Note - Click on "select a topic".
NIMH offers a variety of publications and other educational resources to help people with mental health disorders, the general public, mental health and health care practitioners, and researchers gain a better understanding of mental illnesses and the research programs of the NIMH.
This website includes facts, statistics, pamphlets, checklists, and overviews of mental health disorders.
Fact Sheets from the National Mental Health Association
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The NMHA offers answers to frequently asked questions, facts, statistics and overviews about different mental health disorders, as well as information about treatments and other problems that affect children and adolescents.
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